Finding Their Passion

By Megan Slayer

With a little magic, can two hearts find their way home?

Cooper Benton never thought he and Keir would have an encore. His fiancé left him at the altar and the hurt hasn’t subsided. Although Keir’s leaving crushed him, he never fell out of love with him, but is there room for Keir in his heart a second time?

Keir Saunder is the biggest actor in the world. He’s even been voted Best Film Boyfriend. What he wants more than anything is a second chance with the one he let get away, his former fiancé, Cooper Benton. Cold feet and a healthy dose of fear got in the way of his happy ending the first time around. Now, he’s enlisting the help of Men Wanted to make his dreams come true.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Evernight
• Release date: Jun 23, 2022
• ISBN: 9780369506412

Megan Slayer

Megan Slayer, aka Wendi Zwaduk, is a multi-published, award-winning author of more than one-hundred short stories and novels. She’s been writing since 2008 and published since 2009. Her stories range from the contemporary and paranormal to LGBTQ and BDSM themes. No matter what the length, her works are always hot, but with a lot of heart. She enjoys giving her characters a second chance at love, no matter what the form. She’s been the runner up in the Kink Category at Love Romances Café as well as nominated at the LRC for best author, best contemporary, best ménage and best anthology. Her books have made it to the bestseller lists on Amazon.com. When she’s not writing, Megan spends time with her husband and son as well as three dogs and three cats. She enjoys art, music and racing, but football is her sport of choice.

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Published by EVERNIGHT PUBLISHING ® at Smashwords

www.evernightpublishing.com

Copyright© 2022 Megan Slayer

ISBN: 978-0-3695-0641-2

Cover Artist: Jay Aheer

Editor: Lisa Petrocelli

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. No part of this book may be used or reproduced electronically or in print without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews.

This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, and places are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

DEDICATION

For JPZ

FINDING THEIR PASSION

Men Wanted, 4

Megan Slayer

Copyright © 2022

Chapter One

Humans are so weird. Apollo watched the pool-goers out the window of his hotel room. The humans played in the fountains and dedicated pool as well as in the sprinklers. He didn’t see the draw of playing in water, but the people in the water sure seemed to enjoy running and splashing.

So what if they are? said Artemis, his twin sister, who stood beside him. What do you care? You’re supposed to be on vacation. Why are you so worried about the humans?

Because I’m bored. I’m not meant to be on vacation. He left the window. I let you talk me into going away, but I’m bored out of my skull. I need to be working because I love it and it gives me something to do. He’d created a matchmaking company, Men Wanted, and hated leaving their trade loose while he wandered around a California city. He should be working and handling the business of romance.

She laughed. I knew you’d hate this.

She knew him too well and better than almost anyone, but being his twin, she should. They’d gone through hell together. If she could tell he was bored, then the truth was too painfully clear.

So? Give me something to do besides look at more statuary or another damn fountain.

I thought you’d like San Francisco. She shook her head. So you’re ready to go back to work?

Yes. He was ready yesterday. He enjoyed putting humans together with their perfect romantic matches. He liked giving them happy endings, too. With Artemis’s help, he chose the right people to put together and Eros, the vital third partner in their business, did the legwork of getting the individuals into the same space physically. Being the mischievous god of love meant he had the ability to help the humans realize they loved each other, and Eros always came through for the business.

She sighed. I knew you’d get tired of sightseeing, so I brought the tablets along. We have a couple of requests.

A couple? The last he’d seen of the database, it was overflowing.

Okay, a couple thousand. She handed him one of the tablets. Some have been easy. They want a date—no specific person in mind and their regrets aren’t deep—so Eros has given them someone he chooses. Honestly, he loves having something to do and a lot of these clients just want someone for the night. He’s got such a good feel for instant attraction. She waved her hand. You and I get the harder cases.

Like? He wanted less chatter and more pairing. Call him an asshole, but he hated mindless talking and details.

This guy. His name is Keir Saunder and he’s an actor. I’ve seen him a couple of times in the rom-com movies I love. He’s a great actor and plays the boyfriend or quirky friend well.

I see. He looked at the photo. This handsome guy here needs help finding a date? Why? What’s wrong with him?

It’s not so much that there’s something wrong with him, but it’s complicated. She swiped to his details. He’s thirty-four and currently single. He’s about to film in Ohio for a television movie, another rom-com, and he’s tired of being alone. He’s got a specific person in mind and it’s kind of bittersweet. I really want to help him.

Bittersweet. He rolled his eyes. Yeah. Who does he want and what’s his regret? The right pairing always came down to their regrets. Find what they wanted to fix, give them a chance to fix the problem, and boom! Match made. The formula worked in the past and almost too well.

Right. The guy he wants is a Men Wanted client, Cooper Benton. I remember Cooper’s name because he and Keir were linked.

He frowned. A second chance romance? What happened?

They were engaged and supposed to get married. She steered Apollo toward the desk. Sit. Long story short, they didn’t get married. Keir got cold feet and left him at the altar. Keir’s regret is that he never told Cooper why he got scared. If he could do it all over, he’d tell Cooper the step was huge, he was freaked, and needed Cooper to hold his hand through it. He wants Cooper back.

I see. And Cooper? What does he want? As if he didn’t know. Anyone but Keir, right?

Not exactly. Cooper Benton, age thirty-five, is also currently single. He’s going to be the principal cameraman on Keir’s film. I don’t know if he intended to join the film or if it’s pure luck. Anyway, he contacted us to get him a date. He said he’s tired of the runaround and wants a relationship. She held up her hand. His regret is not getting closure with Keir. He never found out why Keir walked away and wants to know. He never stopped loving Keir, but he’s smart enough to know—his words—to know when it’s time to move on.

Apollo massaged his temples. He loved this part of the process, but sometimes the humans gave him headaches. So they’d be better off if they’d talked in the first place?

Uh-huh.

But they both still want each other?

Right. She grinned and her eyes glittered. They think they’re beyond a second chance. I’m not convinced.

You want to put them together. These two men did need closure, but would talking be enough, or was there an ember between them? Apollo wasn’t sure about the pairing. His sixth sense on these things wasn’t clear.

Yes. I see a future for them together. They just need to be in the same place, forced to talk, and with a little of Eros’s special nudging, shown they belong together. She sat beside him. Eros has the special sauce and I don’t believe they’ve ever stopped loving each other.

Pride and fear were easy to put between couples. He trusted his twin’s judgment and if she thought these guys had a chance, then his sixth sense, or lack of a gauge on this, wasn’t important. If she felt the pairing would work, then who was he to argue? Then let’s do it.

Good. She pulled out her phone. I’ll tell Eros.

He stared at her, then chuckled. You not only knew I’d get bored, but you knew these two needed to be together. You’re getting too smart for my own good. You won’t need me.

I always need my twin. She typed on her phone. But I also happen to know Eros has been scouting the location on these guys. I had that feeling this was something we should do, so I sent him ahead. He’s got a lead on the guys, too.

You really won’t need me. Then what in the Hades would he do? This was one of the few arenas in which he excelled.

Hey, when I’m right, I’m right, but I’ll always need you. She put her phone down. I might think I know they’ll fit together, but if you put up a fight, then I know I’m not quite on the mark. It’s what we do.

I suppose. He never doubted her. Pull the trigger on Cooper and Keir. Someone deserved a happy ending. His wouldn’t come and Eros wasn’t interested in settling down. Artemis acted like she wanted a date, but Apollo couldn’t pin down her type.

Soon, he’d figure out what his twin wanted and he’d find that perfect match for her, too. He hadn’t started Men Wanted to get everyone but Artemis hooked up. He’d find her a date, no matter what.

Chapter Two

Keir packed the last of his belongings into his suitcase. He detested living in the trailers, but he’d rather have somewhere semipermanent than a hotel room. He appreciated the luxury of keeping his things in one place. The trailer had everything he needed and was mobile. Plus, it gave him a place to hide.

He checked the info sheet he’d been given. Cooper’s name was right there—Principal Camera Operator. He’d never be able to hide from Cooper.

He knew he’d run into his ex-fiancé again. Why should he ignore and avoid the man he loved? Because he’d been the one to shaft him. He’d walked away when he should’ve pulled himself tighter to Cooper. He’d never erased the image of Cooper in his tuxedo, crumbling in front of the church because he’d been told Keir wouldn’t be arriving. Keir should’ve been there, should’ve marched up to him and explained himself, rather than watching from afar, then running away.

Keir hadn’t forgiven himself for walking without telling him why.

He knew what he’d done. Knew why he’d given up the best thing to ever happen to him—fear. What if he tied Cooper down and Cooper wanted someone else? He’d been cheated on before, but Cooper hadn’t slept around on him. Cooper stuck by him during the lean period when Keir thought his career was over. He’d encouraged him. Cooper was just about the best guy and that freaked Keir out.

He’d let him get away.

Perkins, Keir’s head of security and assistant, strode into the apartment. Ready? Steve and Natalie are waiting on the plane.

Yeah. He picked up his bag. I’m ready.

Good. Perkins tossed the luggage onto the cart. Did you see who you’ll be working with?

Cooper.